Molloy University’s Rising Star Program received the 2026 Civic Engagement and Community Service Award from Insight Into Academia magazine, the largest and oldest publication defining and advancing best practices in higher education. The award recognizes the institution’s innovative service and deep community collaboration in volunteerism, fundraising efforts for community causes, advocacy and public education, civic participation, voter engagement, and more. Molloy will be featured, along with 51 other programs, in the April 2026 issue of Insight Into Academia magazine.
“The recognition from Insight Into Academia for our work in community engagement affirms the transformative impact our students and staff are making every day,” said James P. Lentini, President of Molloy University. “This honor celebrates not only the Rising Star Program, but the spirit of service, compassion, and excellence that defines Molloy University.
Molloy’s Rising Star Program is a collaborative educational equity initiative hosted by Molloy University in partnership with local Title I school districts. The program includes a five-week Summer Camp and a year-long Rising Star Academy designed to support rising 5th graders academically and socially as they transition into middle school. Rising Star continues to serve as both an academic intervention and a college-access initiative, strengthening equitable opportunities for students while sustaining a strong pipeline of Molloy student mentors who gain leadership experience and professional development through the program.
“The Molloy University School of Arts and Sciences is incredibly proud of the meaningful, mission-driven work led by our Office of Experiential Learning and Community Engagement,” said Gina M. Florio, Dean of The School of Arts & Sciences. “Through transformative initiatives like the Rising Star program—expertly directed by Sarah Shin—our students, faculty, staff, and community partners are creating equitable pathways to academic success and college access. This recognition from Insight Into Academia affirms the profound impact of the Office of Experiential Learning and Community Engagement’s commitment to civic engagement and is a perfect example of Molloy’s mission in action.”
“Higher education has always been a driving force in societal progress.” says Holly Mendelson, owner and publisher of Insight Into Academia magazine. “These institutions remind us that the true measure of higher education lies not only in the degrees awarded, but in the lives they uplift. Their leadership strengthens communities, inspires students, and sets a standard of excellence for all.”